A starry swim beats any rooftop view. This Montanejos night trip pairs a warm thermal river with guided stops that feel wild-but-organized, from a secluded waterfall to sunset over Arenoso Dam. I like how the pace stays relaxed while Kiumars keeps things safe and fun with the right gear, and I also love the small group size, max 8, so you’re not stuck in a loud crowd.

One thing to consider: this isn’t for everyone. You’ll need to be a confident water person, since it’s not suitable for non-swimmers, and you’ll want a change of clothes for the ride back.

Key highlights

• Fuente de los Baños under the stars: a softly lit thermal river experience that’s calm, guided, and genuinely atmospheric
• Sunset over Arenoso Dam: a slow pre-night moment with big color in the sky and a quiet viewpoint feeling
• Five planned stops: waterfall, dam sunset, the Valley of the Screaming Birds, starlit swim, then a Montanejos meal stop
• Safety-first lighting gear: color-coded blinking lights and underwater flashlights make the water feel manageable
• Small-group attention (up to 8): easier questions, quicker help if you need it, and more personal guidance

Why Montanejos’ thermal river night swim feels special

There’s night swimming, and then there’s this. Montanejos is known for thermal waters that sit around 19–21°C (66–69.8°F) year-round, which is the big reason this works even in cooler seasons. You’re not battling cold water or standing around waiting for your courage to catch up.

What makes it feel different is the combination of warmth plus lighting. The river at Fuente de los Baños is set up for visibility, with individual lighting gear and even underwater flashlights. That means the swim doesn’t turn into a dark, awkward guess-and-check. Instead, you get that rare feeling of being in the water while the sky is doing its thing overhead.

Meeting Kiumars: getting from Valencia to Montanejos

You meet right near Serranos Towers, and your guide will be easy to spot: Kiumars is described as the brightest person around, waving a red floating noodle. It’s a simple detail, but it matters when you’re doing a night tour and everything feels a bit rushed.

The tour then runs as a single evening route. You’ll get convenient transport out of Valencia, and the timing is set for late afternoon into night, so you start seeing the area before full darkness. That’s smart. It keeps you from arriving at the swim site only to feel rushed or unsure of what you’re getting into.

A small note worth taking seriously: this tour can be done all year, and the thermal water is the reason. Still, you’ll be in night air before and after the swim, so plan for that chill. Bring that change of clothes you’ll need for after the water time.

Sunset over Arenoso Dam: the calm before the stars

The sunset stop at Arenoso Dam is one of the best “turning points” in the evening. You’re not just stopping for a quick photo and moving on. This is built as a genuine pause, and the payoff is the view itself: the sky takes on orange and pink tones, and you get a quieter viewpoint feeling than you’d expect in a popular area.

I like this part because it sets the mood. You’re watching the day fade while the rest of the itinerary flows toward nighttime. It also gives you a mental switch: the trip stops being sightseeing in daylight and becomes something more sensory—sounds, light, and that slowly changing feeling in the air.

Waterfall, bird canyon, and the eerie Valley of the Screaming Birds

The itinerary layers the setting in a way that keeps you from feeling bored. First comes a secluded waterfall stop, where you hear the water and start to feel your evening “turn on.” Even if you’ve seen waterfalls elsewhere, this one is framed as a warm-up. It’s the kind of stop that gets your senses awake before you step into the more strange-and-magical parts later.

Then you move into the Valley of the Screaming Birds, a canyon-like experience tied to eerie bird calls echoing through the area (Chillapájaros is part of the atmospheric description). This is not a quiet “look and go” moment. The canyon acoustics change what you hear, and it adds to the surreal feel of the night. If you like places that feel a little spooky in a good way, you’ll enjoy this stop.

The potential drawback here is also simple: it’s nighttime-oriented. If you’re someone who wants constant action with no waiting, there may be moments where you’re walking slowly and soaking in the atmosphere. For most people, that’s the point. For others, it can feel like “time passing.”

Fuente de los Baños: how the starlit swim actually works

The highlight is the starlit swim at Fuente de los Baños. This is where the thermal water meets the night sky, and the effect is exactly what you want from a trip like this: you’re floating in a softly illuminated river while you can look up into the stars.

Even though the water time is a major event, this is still designed for comfort. Your guide, Kiumars, is described as a life guard and keeps helping you throughout. Minimal swimming skills are required, but let’s be plain: if you don’t swim confidently, you’re not the right fit for this tour. The tour explicitly says it’s not suitable for non-swimmers, and I agree with that logic. Thermal water doesn’t remove the basic need to feel comfortable in moving water at night.

What you’ll get for the swim matters. You receive water shoes plus individual lighting gear: color-coded blinking lights and underwater flashlights. Those details aren’t just “extra.” They change the whole experience:

• You can see where you’re putting your feet.
• You get a safer sense of the water’s shape and your position.
• You can enjoy the moment without being tense about visibility.

One more practical bonus: photos are included. That means you don’t need to fumble with a phone in and around water. The guide’s help with pictures is part of why the experience feels smooth.

The guide factor: Kiumars keeps it personal and safe

A night tour lives or dies by the guide, and Kiumars gets strong marks for exactly that. People describe him as friendly, informative, and attentive to safety first, then fun. I also like that the experience is small, so his knowledge actually lands. It’s not a script read over a loud bus.

You can also expect the vibe to be less “tour performance” and more “local guide showing you what he loves.” One review highlights that the guide knows the village and helped people learn details they wouldn’t find on their own, which is a big deal for value. You’re not only paying for the swim; you’re paying for the ability to make sense of the place as you go.

Kiumars’ attention to details shows up in the little things mentioned in feedback: the swim gear, the lights, and practical support during the water time. On a night swim, those are the details that matter.

Dinner and the real cost: what you’ll pay for yourself

The plan includes time in Montanejos for a meal stop with beer, wine, dessert, dinner, local snacks, and regional food/tapas-style items. The catch is this: food and drinks aren’t listed as included.

So here’s how I’d think about your budget: the stated price covers the transport and the swim setup (water shoes, lighting gear, photos, and transportation), but your meal is something you should treat as an added expense. If you’re the type who likes wine or a longer sit-down meal, set aside extra. If you prefer to keep it simple, you can likely limit spend—just don’t assume the dinner is automatically covered.

I also like that the meal stop comes after the swim. You’re warm, tired, and ready to eat, which makes the end of the evening feel natural rather than forced. Reviews call out the food experience as delicious, and that tracks with the overall pacing: swim, then sit down.

Price and value: does $147 make sense?

At $147 per person for a 6-hour evening, this is not a bargain-basement activity. But it can be good value if you zoom out and count what you’re actually getting:

• Transport out of Valencia and back
• A small group experience (max 8)
• Water shoes and lighting gear designed for night visibility
• Photos included
• A guided itinerary with multiple scenic stops
• A guide who’s also a life guard, which adds real safety value

The value calculation shifts based on your priorities. If you want a quick view and don’t care about the water time, you might find cheaper options. But if you’re specifically after a guided night thermal swim with safety gear and photo support, the price starts to look reasonable. You’re paying for reduced hassle and a structured, safe way to do something many people would hesitate to attempt on their own.

Also, consider planning flexibility. The tour notes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and lets you reserve and pay later, which is useful if you’re juggling other Valencia plans.

Who this Montanejos night swim is perfect for

This fits best if you check a few boxes:

• You can swim comfortably enough to handle moving water at night.
• You want nature-focused time, not museum stops or long city walking.
• You like small groups and personal attention from a guide.
• You’re curious about thermal waters and want a sensory experience—light, sound, sky, and water.

It’s also a strong choice for couples and small groups who want a shared “we’ll remember this” moment. Several reviews mention the magic of seeing stars clearly during the swim, and that’s exactly why people come back with stories they can’t stop repeating.

Who should skip it (or think twice)

If any of these apply, I’d rethink:

• Non-swimmers: it’s explicitly not suitable.
• Wheelchair users: the tour notes it’s not suitable.
• Anyone who hates nights outdoors: it’s late afternoon into evening, then night swim.
• People who want food to be included in the price: food and drinks aren’t included, even though meals are part of the plan.

One more practical point: you’ll need a change of clothes. Don’t show up thinking you’ll be able to “make it work.” Night tours are all about small inconveniences adding up, and this is one you can prevent easily.

Should you book this Montanejos night swim?

If you want a memorable, nature-heavy experience in Spain without the stress of self-planning, I’d say yes—as long as you can swim comfortably. The combination of warm thermal water, guided night safety, included lighting gear, and photos makes it feel built for first-timers rather than only experienced swimmers.

I’d especially recommend it if you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys atmosphere: waterfall sound, bird-call echoes in a canyon, sunset color at Arenoso Dam, and then that quiet starlit swim moment at Fuente de los Baños. It’s not a party. It’s a calm, sensory evening with just enough structure to keep you comfortable.

Book it if that sounds like your idea of a great night. Skip it if you don’t swim, need full accessibility support, or want food included in the base price.

FAQ

Where do I meet the tour guide?

Meet right next to Serranos Towers in Valencia. Your guide will be identifiable by waving around with a red floating noodle.

How long is the Montanejos night swim tour?

The duration is 6 hours.

What swim gear is included?

Water shoes and lighting gear are included, including color-coded blinking lights and underwater flashlights. Photos are also included.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Minimal swimming skills are required, but the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. The guide helps, but you should still be comfortable in the water.

Is this tour available in winter?

Yes. It can be performed throughout the whole year, including winter, because the thermal waters stay between 19–21°C.

What languages is the tour guide available in?

The live tour guide offers English, French, German, Persian, and Spanish.

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